SS - Putrid Poetry

from "Burning in My Soul" - Matt Maher

Shiver down a moon beam and dance here with me
Forget the sound of hundreds of feet marching over rock
There is a fire that burns in rain…

    “What are you muttering?”

    He shrugged and laughed self-consciously, “nothing really, it just seemed to fit.”

    Adelaide hiked up her dress to cross a fallen tree, “What seemed to fit? Are you writing poetry again?” She tripped and would have fallen on her face if Jake hadn’t reached out to steady her but it was his face, not hers, that burned red with embarrassment.

    He coughed. He hopped over the tree, avoiding the slippery patch of moss that had almost upended his fellow sojourner. But he couldn’t avoid her gaze.

    “Well?” She prompted. He didn’t have to look to know that she had her hands on her hips and her head tilted ever so slightly to the left.

    “No.” He said. “It wasn’t nothing. Don’t slow down now, we got to get at least to the gate before dark.”

    “Sure.” She skipped past him, a queer mixture of grace and clumsiness in her movements that he still found disconcertingly distracting after months of travelling together. “But I rather think that any beasty prowling in these parts could be turned back by the power of your witted words.”

    “Shut up.” He spoke the thought out loud but not so loud that she would hear it but at that moment she stopped so abruptly that he almost crashed into her.

    “Hist!” She whispered harshly.

    He couldn’t see or hear anything that would cause her alarm. He opened his mouth to question and breathed in the unmistakeable stench of Anfarri dire wood.

    And I was so looking forward to a quiet evening and green beer at the Dancing Foal Inn!

SS from October and December

October

from "Used to You" (Jenn Weber)

Icy wind tore at Lacey's face and fingers but the sun on her back was warm and the smoothness of the ice beneath her skates was like glass. She tucked her arms behind her back and leaned into the wind. It carried the scent of pine in its bite. Thirty-seven days until Christmas. Laughter from the far side of the pond echoed just above the sharp swish of her skates. Thirty-three days until Jake's visit for the holidays. Missing him threatened to steal away her joy of the first skate of the season.

Stretching she let herself slow slightly before pulling down into a spin. Then jumped into another...and another and another until she was too dizzy to skate straight but the ache in her happiness remained. It would be better if he was here.

"Lacey!" Her sister Dana called between giggles, "We need another hand here."

Dana was skating backwards and supporting their cousin Becca who didn't know how to skate. The pair wobbled over the ice. Soaking wet patches on their jeans testified to a number of spills.

Lacey waited for them. "You're looking really good, Becca."

"Ha, funny." Becca grabbed hold of Lacey's arm, "I don't know how I let you talk me into this. It's so cold and the hot chocolate is gone and the ice will probably melt any moment, we're gonna die."

"A horrible chocolate-less drowning death!" Dana said with mock severity.

Both girls laughed but Becca didn't loosen her white knuckled grip on Lacey's arm.

"We're not going to die." Lacey shifted so that she could balance her cousin better. "Keep your eyes up and bend your knees a little."

With encouragement, Becca relaxed and gradually gained the confidence to take a few strides on her own.

"Say!" Dana said in an exaggerated theatrical tone, "I wonder who that could be?"

Lacey looked to where her sister pointed and froze.

Jake was skating toward them. Curly hair whipped back. Ridiculous grin on his face.

She couldn't move, could hardly breathe, but her heart leapt the distance between them a moment before he caught her in his arms and swung her in a wild circle.

Warmth and old spice and sweet brown eyes. This is real.

"Surprise," he said.

Something soft and red landed on Lacey's nose. She turned and Becca snapped a picture as Dana tore open another bag of rose petals. "What-?"

Jake dropped to one knee. One hand still squeezed hers as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a familiar little box. "Lacey Marie, I love you and I will love you forever. Will you marry me?"

December

from "I'll Wait" (Pursuits DTS)

Once upon a happening, I walked in the strange ways and lingered at doorways to places unknown.

I don’t know when that changed. I haven’t grown old. My skin is still as smooth and soft as an infant’s. No grey streaks my hair. My arms and legs are strong as they ever were.

But my mind has dimmed. I can’t remember the last time I felt curious or afraid or awestruck.The colours that used to be vibrant are garish. Music is only noise to me.

Is there a way back? May I return to what I once knew? Can I?

I lay my guitar in my lap and rest my hands on the strings.

I’ll wait.

TL-5 Valentine's Day Ingredients

1. Chocolate (preferably dark, preferably fairtrade)

2. Formal gown or fuzzy pajamas (or both in succession)

3. A chick flick (something quality along the lines of Ever After, nothing raunchy)

4. Assorted craft supplies (magazines, gluestick, construction paper, yarn, scissors, etc.)

5. Naive anticipation

Honestly, I am a single gal who adores St. Valentine's Day. I angst about my missing half on other days of the year. This day is one day that I am utterly content to be without a significant other.
*shrug* :)

A very happy St. Valentine's Day to you whatever your relationship "status"! May you feel beautiful and treasured and strong. <3

TL-4 Why February is Epic

Reasons.

3. St. Valentine's Day - I'm single and hopelessly romantic and I will love this holiday forever regardless of how ruthlessly it is commercialized.

2. Leap years - HILARIOUS. I mean, really, adding a day to a month every 4 years? It tickles my funny bone. o:)

Bestest of all

1. It is the time of year when the increasing amount of daylight becomes noticeable. I find myself frequently giddy throughout the month as my subconscious celebrates what my eyes barely register. Winter is passing, spring is coming!



*Leanna basks in the light and the rain*